I have received a bad review. I know we all will receive some. But, it snarfs at it being a short stor y, says there was no plot and written by a 10 year old. I wrote that it was a short story in the blurb and it does have a plot. I do not know if this person really read this book by the review and wanted to make these points? Thanks, Kathy

I respond to all my good reviews with a 'thanks for your review' or something similar. But I wouldn't say anything about a bad review, it makes you look unprofessional. If you feel you MUST respond, I would just again say, 'thanks for your review.'
Never defend yourself. Just move on.

Personally I wouldn't respond to any reviews, good or bad. I don't think it achieves anything. Someone writes a review of their own free will. They're not looking for praise and certainly not criticism from an author. If an author thanked me for a review my response would be like "well, thanks" but if they criticized my review, regardless of how good or bad it was, it would be the last thing I ever read by that author. It's unprofessional. A reviewer is entitled to their opinion.

Any nut can post a review, and you have to accept it. You will get a few reviews that are completely inaccurate and some that are just insane. At first I thought I might learn from a few of them, but I have learned since that most are worthless, because the reviewer knows nothing about writing and is just spewing nonsense in many cases. I have reviews that say my dialogue "has the ring of truth" and I am "genuinely talented" and others that say my dialogue is "not the way real people talk." Some reviews complain about how a boy in the story curses, another complains that a man in the story does not cuss enough. After a hundred reviews, I stopped paying any attention to them.

I always respond factually to a negative review. If you get a spite review that is rude, inappropriate and unfair, by all means respond factually and appropriately. [b]Not responding to a spite[/b] [b]review means you fully accept what is posted.[/b] Amazon.com allows you to reply, and for good reason. You should reply.

Professional print authors respond to their critics, and so should Indie authors.

Every KDP review has a place where it states if the reviewer purchased the ebook. Reviews by non-purchasers are generally discounted, and are often spite reviews.

The present review system is a carry-over from the print book system. With the ebook free preview system there is no good use for "reviewers" who may well be spiteful and know very little about the genre they are posting on, as well as about writing in general.

[b]The present "review" system is misleading and harmful, and should be abolished.[/b] It often misleads the potential reader, and upsets/discourages the author, all for no good reason or purpose.

[b]For a reviewer to be anonymous is entirely unprofessional and uncalled for.[/b]

KDP may as well put up a big sign saying "sadists and opinionated know nothings come and review, and [b]enjoy[/b] watching the struggling authors squirm."

I was formerly the book review editor for a Chicago newspaper. I signed my name to my reviews, and was proud to do so, good or bad. THAT is the way to do it.

This book is a mild ghost story and more of a mystery in uncovering who is haunting her parents. There is no cursing. Kind of like the old "Nancy Drew" stories. I have never supplied a link. I think I did it right! Thanks, Kathy!

I responded to my negative reviewer with a thank you, he/she gave me helpful advice I made simple grammar errors - which makes the book very hard to read by a non-English speaking person using a translator with reading. As far as this prson not liking my story, well - too bad because it was a true story. LOL. Cant change the facts!